Open The Door and Let Em In

When traveling to a new city, I love to get up and exercise before I speak at an event and sometimes run in the city to not only exercise but explore the area. I have run around and through some of the most amazing places on my journey from the river walk in San Antonio to our National Mall in Washington DC, Along the freedom trail in Boston, along Seaside village on the Pacific in San Diego, to the capital in Montpelier Vermont, around Lake Michigan in Chicago and more… Recently I was speaking in El Paso and went for a morning run.

Right outside my hotel in the street was the open door from the movie set “one battle after another” as it was filmed on this street in El Paso. When I ran by it, it caught my attention because it is over 30’ tall and looks like it is open inside a door frame. When you walk by it you see through the opening area. As I stopped to take pictures and posting on social media, because I love to share pictures and perspectives of the moment, I thought about all of the doors that have been both opened and closed for me in my career.

I remember early in my career, I just knew I was going to get a promotion after an interview with the GM for a new opportunity to move up in our company. Unfortunately, the door was closed when I was told that I would not be getting this opportunity due to my inexperience. The VP called me into his office and shared a few reasons which I appreciated and remember feeling so bummed. I mean, I had children to feed, and was trying to make my mark as a leader.   

Since then, I have had many closed doors that made me feel like I was being rejected only to find a better door opening ahead. I am sure you have too! Doors close on getting a job, promotions, new sales, speaking selections, attending events, volunteer leadership roles, and more… but you just keep driving.

Then, I think about the open doors in my career and life. Early in my career, I had wanted to go back to school after a conversation with my wife and a four-year hiatus, but knew I didn’t have the money, and was now a working dad with two kids. However, when checking it out, the person working at the college opened a door for me to go back to school and finish my education by providing funding to help me pay for school.

There have been so many people that have opened doors for me that I could write a whole book by naming everyone, but you don’t have time for that. Lol! I see you…

My parents opened the door for me to own my own bowling center, and compete in bowing tournaments around the US.  My wife has opened so many doors for me to be a better dad and husband. My brother opened the door for me to relocate to Dallas and later get involved in the North Texas Relocation Professionals. Dr. Sandra Reid opened a door for me to become President of DallasHR. I have had so many people that I have worked with open doors for me including Mike Gonzales who opened the door for me to have an amazing career at The Armstrong Company.

People have opened doors for me and continue to open doors and that is why I am able to do the things I do today. It’s all about having people of h.o.p.e. in your community – its “helping other people everyday” that makes the difference. Who opened the door for you? Who can you open a door for? Who is someone you can gave HOPE to you?   

So here is what I am hoping for today…

1.      Reach out to someone that opened the door for you and tell them thank you. Send them a text, an email or write and mail a letter. It will make impact on them - and you!

2.      Remember that you have the opportunity to open a door for someone in your path. Open that door and one day you will receive that note that changed someone’s life.

This makes me think about the Paul McCartney song “Let em in”

Someone knocking at the door
Somebody ringing the bell
Someone's knocking at the door
Somebody's ringing the bell
Do me a favour
Open the door
And let 'em in

Keep opening doors, my friends…

Quote of the Day:
“We must find time to stop and thank the people around us. -President John F. Kennedy

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